Voice Coaches Radio - #665 - Charlene Will Tell Ya, "Read The Reviews!"

·22 min·2 clips

Charlene reveals how reading vibrator reviews at parties sparked her voiceover journey.

The episode begins with host Marissa welcoming Charlene, a former student preparing to enter the voiceover industry. Charlene expresses nervousness and excitement, and Marissa reassures her. Charlene reveals her unique origin story: she started by reading humorous vibrator reviews at parties, which friends encouraged her to pursue. She recalls childhood memories of recording with her father's reel-to-reel, indicating a long-standing passion. Charlene discusses her voiceover training, focusing on audiobook narration with coach Tina, who identified her as a narrative voice. She describes a frustrating experience where she arrived to record her demo only to find the studio closed, leading to a six-week rescheduling. Charlene turned this setback into an opportunity to hone her skills. She shares her first pro bono voice work: delivering a speech for a friend who was too emotional to do it herself, in front of about 100 people. Charlene also talks about practicing by reading weekly to her 90-year-old mother and sister, including books like 'The One and Only Ivan'. She plans to record an audiobook for a fourth-grade class at her elementary school job. Marissa and Charlene discuss the overlap between voice acting and public speaking, with Marissa sharing her own radio experiences. Charlene emphasizes the importance of bringing stories to life in audiobooks, noting the acting and emotional skills required. The conversation touches on family support, with Charlene's mother even having her practice medical texts. Marissa humorously suggests Charlene read 'Fifty Shades of Grey' to her mother next. The episode ends with Charlene thanking Tina for her coaching and Marissa offering ongoing support.

As heard by us

A warm voiceover pep talk that makes early progress feel concrete and reachable.

Charlene's conversation stays focused on voiceover coaching and on the uneasy, useful stretch between training and real-world use. The former student comes across as nervous and excited, and the details of buying studio equipment and doing a pro bono speech for a friend keep the…

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Why you'd press play

A first-time voiceover conversation turns into a practical nudge toward confidence and coachability.

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